Filtering apparatus



Aug. 10, 1943. H. H. MORI-:TGN 2,326,484

FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 1 Aug' 10, 1943 H. H. MoRE'roN 2,326,484

FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 10, 1943. H. H. MoREToN FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 3 ffy www@ Aug. l0, 1943. H. H. MoRE'roN FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @www ' Patented Aug. 10, 1943 uranio sTATEs PATENT lorrlcla.

' FILTERING APPARATUS Henry n. Moreton, Les Angeles, cem.

Application January 25, 1940, Serial No. 315,584

18 Claims.

'Ihis invention is a filtering apparatus particularly designed for filtering sewage, although not limited in this particular, because itmay be used to advantage in other elds of filtration.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a filtering apparatus of simple and inexpensive construction, which will be capable of a very high efficiency in operation. A further object is to provide an apparatus of compact structure, in which lter units may be conveniently arranged for alternate operation, and in which the respective units may consist of a single lter cell or member, or a plurality thereof arranged in a group. A further object is to provide an improved ilter cell or chamber, and means for moving it into and out of said chamber, so that it may be readily cleaned as conditions may require. A further object is to provide a pair of lter units, and means for alternately raising each unit as the other is lowered and vice versa, so that one unit may be cleansed while the other unit is in operation. A further object is to provide means for withdrawing moisture from each ilter section at the end of the filtering o-peration of its unit, and means for loosening the residual coating on the surface of the section in a predetermined sequence. A further object is to provide means for removing the coated residual material from the surface of each filter section during movement of the lter unit into the tank.

This invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional View illustrating a ltering apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a similar view on the line 2-2, Figure 1. is a top plan view of one o f the filter units removed from the assembly. Figure 4 is a view illustrating one form of power means for imparting movement to the lter units. Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating a modification of the valve actuating means. detail sectional views respectively illustrating the three positions of the valve. Figure 9 is a detail view of the scraper devices. Figure 10 is a detail view illustrating one form of switch control for the conveyor motor. Figure 11 illustrates a typical diagram for said control. Figures 12 and 13 are side elevations illustrating modified forms of power means for imparting movement to the filter units. Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional View illustrating a modification of the suction and fluid pressure elements. Figure 15 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 14, with parts broken Figure 3.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are away and in section. Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view illustrating another modification.

Referring to the drawings,v I0 designates a tank having an inlet pipe I I leading from any suitable source of supply (not shown). Extending upwardly from the tank are supporting brackets I2 which sustain a rock shaft I3, which may be actuated in any suitable manner. It is preferred to utilize a power means which vmay be time controlled, and for the purposes oi illustration the shaft I3 is provided with a crank arm I4, which is connected to the plunger arm I5 of an hydraulic lift H. Said lift is equipped with a pressure supply pipe h and exhaust pipe h', conltrolled by a valve h2, with the usual branch pipes h3 and h4 leading to the respective ends of the cylinder h5. Said valve may be controlled manually or by any well known form of timing device diagrammatically illustrated at T.

Connected with the rock shaft I3 is a rocklever or walking beam I6, the ends of which are movably connected to plates I8 by means of links Il. A plurality of illter cells or members F are secured to said plate I8. In the drawings, each unit A and B consists of any desired number of the lter cells F arranged 'in a group, but for the purposes of illustration, each unit is shown as consisting of four lter cells. It will be readily understood from the drawings, that the walking beam connections I6 with the links I'I andplates I8 are of such a nature that as the unit A is elevated, the unit B is lowered and vice versa.

Each lter cell or member preferably consists of a frame f of any desired shape, with any desired number of lter beds, a rectangular shape having been selected for purposes of illustration. Said frame is shown as provided with two relatively spaced lter beds f', which may be of any suitable construction, such as perforated sheet material covered with filter cloth or any other known type of ltering material which may be' readily attached to or detached from the frame, as occasion may require, to secure eiective filtration, and which also will permit the up and down movement of the illter element and yet produce eiective filtration. Leading from the bottom of each filter section F is a liquid-escape pipe f2, which telescopes with a drain pipe f3 depending from the bottom of the tank III. A suitable stuffing box f4 is provided in the bottom wall of the tank so as to maintain a liquid tight connection between the escape pipe f2 and the drain pipe f3. The drain pipesj3 communicate with a trap f5 which may be conn cted with the municipal seweragesystem, but is preferably a common and well-known type of trap-construction capable of maintaining a predetermined liquid level therein at all times with a sealed inlet pipe. It will be observed that the pipes Il and f are of suillcient length to permit the up and down movements of the lter umts without destroying the sealed connection between the pipes, the arrangement being such that a gravitational ilow of liquid from the interior of the illter element is obtained while the latter is submerged.

In the top of each of the frames f is an opening provided with a stuiilng box 20. through which a pipe 2| extends downwardly into the lter element F. The respective pipes 2| of each unit A or B are connected to a cross pipe 22, which in turn is connected by a supply pipe 23 controlled by a three-way valve 24. Therefore, there are two cross pipes 22, one for each unit, and one valve 24 for each unit. The valves may be of any desired construction, but for purposes of illustration the valve 24 is shown as provided with a casing having three ports v, v' and v'. The port v is positioned to communicate with a branch 23 of a suction pipe 21, which is connected with any suitable means (not shown) for maintaining a vacuum therein. Each port v' is connected to a branch` pipe 28 connected with a pressure pipe 23 connected with any suitable means for maintaining a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure within said conduit. The port v2 of each valve is arranged to connect with the supply pipe 23 leading to the cross pipe 22. The plug v3 of the valve is provided with two passages v and v5, respectively, so arranged as to selectively control communication between pipes 21 and 29 and the various ports v, v', v2.

The valves 24 may be operated in any desired manner, but for purposes of illustration, the plug v3 of each valve 24 is rotated by means o! an arm 30 secured to the valve stem, and engageable by a pivoted latch member 3|, mounted on the walking beam I6. Said operating arm 30 is biased by means ofy a spring 32 in such position as to normally maintain the passage v of its valve 24 in communication with ports v and v2.

.The latch 3| is held to a normal engaging position by means of a spring 33. In operation, as the unit starts downwardly, the arm 25 is engaged by the hook portion of the latch 21, thereby rocking the arm 25 in such manner as to iirst close the valve completely and then to move passage v5 to closed position and to place the passage v4 in communication with the ports v and v2, as the valve core continues to rotate, thereby establishing a very brief communication between pipe 29 and the interiors of the filter members. Continued downward movement of the unit will then move the valve core v3 to such position as to close both passages v4 and 'v5 until the latch is disengaged from arm 30, whereupon spring 32 will reverse the movement of the plug so that it will stop in the positionof Figure 6, which position is maintained as long as the cells of the unit are submerged in the liquid within the tank I0. At this time the interior of the illter element will `be subjected to a slight suction, sumcient to draw the liquid into the interior of each filtering tened residual material. Upward movement of the filter unit will not eifect movement of the valve plug, but will cause the latch 3| to reengage its valve arm.

Another method of operating the valve l24 is illustrated in Figure 5, in which the valve 24 is shown as operated by means of an arm 30* which chamber while so submerged, but without destroying or interfering with the gravitational outiiow of liquid from the chamber. During the reverse movement of the plug the nlter will again be briefly subjected to the internal pressure shock while partially submerged, the eil'ect of which will be to further clear the illter of sofis secured to the rotatable core u of the valve, and is normally held by-means of a spring 32e in such manner as to maintain communication between pipe 21 and the interior of the cells through the valve ports o and o. The arm 30* is movable against the tension of an overthrow spring 32l by means of a roller carried by a projection 3 |l on the frame which connects the plurality of cells forming a iiltering unit. The action of said member 3|* during its downward movement is to rotate arm 30 and valve 24 until the spring 32* passes the dead center, whereupon the valve is moved by said spring to a position which will close all ports. Upon its upward movement the member 3| rotates the arm 3|'L and its valve in a reverse direction, until the spring 32n acts to reverse the valve. During this downward movement the ports .v and v2 are connected for a short period of time, so as to establish a temporary communication between pipe 29 and the interiors of the cells F, and then the valve is moved to the position which connects the ports v and v2.

Naturally, the illtering surfaces of the cells F become coated with deposits of residual material, which deposits must be removed before the filters may again be used. In order to accomplish the cleansing of the filter surfaces during the up and down movements of the filter umts, two series of scrapers S and S are provided. Each scraper consists of an arm 36 pivotally mounted on a rock shaft 31 mounted in the frame S2, said arms of each series being connected 'by a link 33, in such manner that all of them will move in unison. Each arm is provided at one end with a scraper 39. As shown in Figure 7, the rock shaft 31 of the series of scrapers S is provided with a cam 40, so positioned as to be engaged by a projection 4| carried on the lower end of one of the l-ter cells. Said cam is also positioned to be engaged also by a second projection 42, on the upper end of the same cell. A similar cam (not shown) is provided on the other side oi' the lter unit, as viewed in Figure 9, and operatively connected with the series of scrapers S', so as to -be operated by duplicate projections 4| and 42 simultaneously with the operation of the scrapers S. It will be observed that as the iilter unit is moved downwardly the scrapers are brought into engagement with the adjacent lter surfaces. An overthrow spring 43 is connected to the cam 4|l in such manner that when the end of the cam passes the dead center, completion of the rotative movement of the shaft will be eiected with a quick motion or snap motion. Thus, the scraper end of each is engaged with the adjacent surfaces of the cells, as the latter are lowered, so that the iilter surfaces of the cells will be scraped and cleared of sediment during said downward movement of the unit. As the iiltering unit moves upwardly the positions of the scrapers will be reversed, so as to move them away from the surfaces of 'the filter cells during the upward movement of the cells.

The scrapings of sediment may be disposed of in any desired manner, but for purposes of illustration, conveyor belts b are employed, said the lter cells. Each belt extends around a suitable pulley 45, movable with a rotatively mounted shaft 4B, located in a position extending transversely to the axes of the shaft 31, the other end of the belt being suitably supported by an idler in a manner well understood in the conveyor art.

Rotative motion is imparted to the shaft 46 in any desired manner, an electric motor M being shown for illustrative purposes, without intention to limit the invention. Operation of the motor may be controlled in any desired manner, an illustrative method being shown in Figures 10 and 1l, also without intent to limit the invention in this respect. Referring to said gures, the circuit to the motor M is controlled by two switches a and a'respectively, supported in vertically spaced relation above the tank It. The switch a is biased to normally open position by means of a spring a3 and fthe switch a' is biased to normally closed position by a similar spring a". The circuit to the motor is from line wire W through wire a", solenoid coil a8 to one of the contacts of the switch a.v The other contact of said switch is connected by a wire ci9 with one of the contacts of the switch a', the other contact of the last mentioned 4switch being connected with the motor M, the return from the motor beine through wire am to wire W'. 'I'he switches are operated by means of a trigger a3 pivoted to a support a4 carried by one of the filter units, such as lter unit A, said trigger being normally biased against a stop a by means of a spring a6. The arrangement is such that the bevel end of the trigger will operate the two switches a and a' respectively, during downward movement of the filter unit, but will trip past the switches during the return movement. As the trigger moves downwardly, it will rst close switch a against the tension of its spring, thereby closing the circuit to the motor through switches a and a'. At the same time the solenoid coil aa is energized, holding the switch a in normally closed position against the tension of its spring a2. As the trigger travels downwardly, it will move switch a against the tension of its spring a, thereby breaking rthe circuit to the motor and deenergizing the solenoid coil a, so that the spring a2 may move the switch a to circuit breaking position. As the trigger travels downwardly past the switch a'. the spring aX restores said switch to the circuit closing position, but this will not aiect the circuit because the switch a' will have been previously moved to circuit breaking position at the time that the circuit is broken at switch a', and the switches will then be set for the next operation. As the motor is energized, the belts b are operated so as to convey the scrapings from the iilter surfaces to the left, as viewed in Figure l, and to discharge them into a suitable receptacle, such as a car C. During the filtering stage, the motor remains inoperative, and as stated above is not energized during upward movement of the iilter. In other words, the motor is only operated during the downward travel of the iilter unit.

The belts b are arranged to discharge the scrapings in a well known manner. If desired, the discharge may be arranged so as to deposit the residual material into a car C, mounted on tracks arranged in the vicinity of the tank I0. or any other means of disposal well understood in the art may be substituted for the car.

It will be readily understood that the two units A and B are so connected to the walking beam I6 as to act as counterbalances for each other. Therefore. the units may be raised and lowered at .the expenditure of a minimum amount of power, the weight of each unit counterbalancing the weight oi the other unit. Where it is desired to use an installation equipped with a single llter unit consisting of a plurality of iiltering cells F, it is advantageous to provide means for counterbalancing the weight of the unit, as it is raised and lowered. In Figure 12 is illustrated an arrangement by which the counterbalancing functions of a single unit are obtained. Referring to said figure, Iiin designates the walking beam which is pivoted to the support I2a and is connected at one end (not shown) with the filter unit. The other end of the Walking beam is provided with an adjustable counterwelght 52 which is slidably mounted upon the walking beam, and suitably held in any adjusted position, a set screw 53 being shown for purposes of illustration. 'I'he beam llia is rocked by means of a link 54 having one end loosely connected at 55 to the walking beam IEB, and the other end pivoted to one side of a driven gear 56, as indicated at 51. The gear 55 is actuated by a drive gear 58 mounted on a suitable power shaft 59. The power source may be any desirable form of motor, but for purposes of illustration an electric motor is diagrammatically indicated at te.

Another counterbalancing arrangement is shown in Figure 13, in which the walking beam leb is pivoted to the support Zb, and is provided at one end with a counterweight 52B, s1idable along the walking beam, and held in any adjusted position by means of the set screw 53a. The lter unit F is shown as connected by a suitable link 6i. The power means consists of an hydraulic cylinder S, the piston 56e of which is provided with a link 5G. The other upper end of said link is loosely connected to the walking beam, as indicated at 55e. The admission oi iluid pressure to cylinder 60a is controlled by means of the valve 62 in the pipes 63.

In operation, the fluid to be filtered is introduced linto the tank lil through the inlet li, preferably with suiilcient force to create a turbulent condition, whereby the solids are kept well suspended in the fluid by agitation. In the form illustrated in Figure l, it will be observed that one filter unit will be submerged within the contents of the tank il), while the other one is lifted entirely free thereof, the general idea being that the lter units are alternately submerged and allowed to stand a predetermined period, and then withdrawn from the tank. As the submerged unit is raised, the other unit is lowered, the weight of each unit counterbalancing the weight of the other. The arrangement of the valves 25 is such that while a unit is submerged, there is an internal suction applied to .the lter cells thereof from conduit 21, through pipe 2|, in such manner as to tend to draw the liquids through the iilter surfaces into the interior or each cell, the liquid being constantly discharged by the action of gravity through the pipes .f2 and f3 into the tank f5. The outward now of liquid also tends to create a suction Within .the cells. At the end of the predetermined period, whether the latter is determined automatically or is controlled manually, the submerged unit will be elevated and the other unit will be lowered. During the travel of the two units to their new positions, the valves 24 are operated, so that as heretofore described the valve 24 of the downwardly travelling unit will first cut on the suctionpipe 29, then direct a short blast of compressed air from the pipe 29 into the unit during downward movement thereof; then closing the valve to all passages and finally placing the filter in connection with the suction pipe. The internal compressed fluid shock to the filter surfaces loosens any residual matter gathered from a previous filtering operation and which may be adhering to said surfaces. At the same time the scrapers S are operated by the cam 40 in such manner as to cause scrapers to engage the surfaces of the unit which is being lowered, so that any residue which may still be adhering to the filter surfaces, may be scraped off and deposited upon the belts B. Within a very short interval after the initiation of the downward movement to the unit being lowered, the valve 25 is operated so as to open the interiors of the cells of the downwardly traveling unit to the influence of the suction in the pipe 30. After the predetermined period of filtration, the last lowered unit is raised and the other unit lowered, and the operations above described are repeated, except that they are reversed with respect to the two units.

Figures 14 and l5 are views of a modification of' the arrangement of the structure illustrated in Figure 1, and particularly with respect to the means for applying the suction from lthe pipe 21 and for applying the pressure from pipe 29, together with a modified means for operating the valves. Referring to said figure, the -tank l0 and the filter unit A are of substantially the same construction as already described, the -unit consisting of any desired number of filter cells F which may be raised and lowered in any desired manner, as for instance, by means of-the lifter Ibar I8 pivotally connected with filter cells, as indicated at X and raised and lowered by any of the means heretofore described. In lieu of the telescoplng pipes f3 and f4, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, lthe outlet of each filter cell i-s connected with a jointed outlet pipe f, one end f7 being connected to .the outlet of the filter element and the other end f8 being connected with a conduit f leading -to a lreducing valve 10 (diagrammatically illustrated) arranged to communicate with a sewer Ipipe line 1.|. Interposed between the reducing valve 10 and the pipe 1| is a three-way valve 24 which may be of a construction similar to that of the valve 24 already described. Said valve 24 is operated by means of an arm 25.

Leading upwardly from' the three-way valve 24l is a conduit 12 provided with a stuffing box 12L at its upper end, and telescoping and slidably mounted within the pipe 12 is another pipe 13, which is connected by means of a branch 14 with the cross pipe 15 extending across the tops of the filter cells, and having Ibranches communicating with the interiors of the respective cells. Also connected'to the cross pipe 15 is a supply pipe 16 connected with a suitable source of compressed air (not shown) and controlled by a manual valve 11. The telescoping pipe 13, branch 14 and cross pipe 15 are of sufllcient rigidity to cause the pipe 13 to move up and down in telescoping relation with the pipe 1,2 during the up and down movements of the filter units.

The valve arm 25 is operated by a rod 18, slidably mounted in suitable guides on the outside of a wall of tank I0, and is normally held with the valve arm 25* depressed by means of the spring 19. Said rod is provided with an arm 80 which is engaged by the top ofthe filter unit during travel of the latter while being raised from the tank II. and in such manner as to move the arm 25", and to correspondingly move and sustain the valve 24'L against the tension of the spring 19. If positive return of the valve is desired, the same may be effected by means of a member 8| secured 4to the pipe 14, and so positioned that during downward movement of the filter unit, said member will engage a tappet 82 secured to the rod. l

The arrangement is such that while a filter unit is submerged within the chamber I0, the interior of the respective filter cells are subjected to the slight suction which is applied through the cross pipef15, the branch pipe 14, telescoping pipe 13, together with the pipe 12, the valve 24, reducing valve 10 and the branches .f5 and f. While the battery of cells is being lifted, contact is made with the arm 80, causing the rod 18 to be shifted upwardly with ,the travel of the cell unit, the effect of which is to first close the connection between the pipes 12 and ff and f' by adjusting the position of thevvalve 24, but leaving the circuit open from pipe 1| through valve 24B, pipes 12 and 13, branch pipe 14, cross pipe 15 and the interiors of the respective filter cells. In this way, full negative pressure is available for drying. While the cell is being lowered, the valve action of the valve 24a is reversed and the cells are subjected to a low vacuum from pipe 1.|, valve 22, reducing valve 10, and the folding pipes f6 and f". After .the cell has Ibeen lifted and the drying period -has passed, the cell is caused to descend into the tank. During the first few inches of its travel the rod 18 is caused to reversely operate the valve 24 in a manner to close the valve for a very short period of time, during which period the valve 11 may be opened to introduce a blast of compressed air into the interiors of the cells, for the purpose of loosening the cake or blowing it off the filtering surfaces. Scrapers, such as already described, may also be employed. The valve 11 is open only during the passage of the cell downwardly for a few inches, after which the valve is moved to the position to permit the light vacuum to reach the interiors of the cells in the manner above described.

In Figure 16 is diagrammatically illustrated a modification of theA means for alternately raising and lowering the filter units. Referring to said figure. the filter units F3. and F* are respectively provided with lifter .bars and 9|, to each of which is connected a cable or other exible member 92, arranged to travel over suitably located pulleys 83. The arrangement is such that each fil-ter unit is raised as the other one is lowered, the power for effecting these units being connected in suitable manner to either unit. For

illustrative purposes,'each (able is connected to.

a head 93 slidably mounted within a cylindrical chamber 94, said heads being connected by an actuator -bar 95 provided with rack teeth 96. Said teeth are engaged by a pinion 91 mounted on a shaft 98 and actuated by a sprocket wheel 99 connected by a suitable chain with a complemental sprocket wheel |00, driven .by a motor M. The motor is controlled in any desired manner. a time-controlled switch of any standard make being diagrammatically shown for -purposes of illustration. In operation, each unit counterbalances the other and downward movement of each is cushioned by its plunger head 93.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described an operative manner of constructingand using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is:

1. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material'to be filtered, a chambered filter.

terior of the latter so as to normally create a gravitational flow of filtered liquid from the filter element while the latter is submerged, a suction pipe connected with the interior of the filter unit, a valve controlling said suction pipe and normally biased to open position, whereby a constant flow of liquid is maintainedv through the kfilter element during said submergence, and means for controlling said valve. o

2. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more filter walls, means for moving the filter element into and out of the tank along an approximately rectilinear path, a liquid outlet conduit consisting of two telescoping movable members one of which is connected to the bottom of and movable with the filter element and communicating with the interior of the latter so as to create a gravitational flow of filtered liquid from the fitler element While submerged, a suction pipe connected with the interior of said filter unit, said valve being normally biased to open position whereby a constant fiow of liquid is maintained through the filter element during said submergence, and means for controlling the operation of said valve.

3. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be ltered, a chambered lter element provided with one or more filter walls, means for moving the filter element into and out of said tank along an approximately rectilinear path, a liquid outlet conduit having a portion connected to the bottom of and movable with said lter element and communicating with the interior. of the latter so as to normally create a gravitational fiow of filter liquid from the lter element While the latter is submerged, a suction pipe connected with the interior of the filter unit, a valve controlling said suction pipe and normally biased to open position whereby a constant flow of liquid is maintained through the filter element during said submergence, means also connected with said valve for neutralizing the pressure reduction as the filter element is moved out of the tank, and means for controlling the operation of said valve.

4. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more filter walls, means for moving the filter element into and out of the tank along an approximately rectilinear path, an outlet conduit connected with the bottom of the filter unit at all times so as to create a gravitational fiow of filtered liquid from the filter element while the same is submerged, a suction pipe at all times connected with the interior of said filter element, a normally open control valve for said pipe, so as to normally maintain a suction pressure within the filter chamber while submerged, and means operated by the filter-element-moving means during lowering movement of the filter element for temporarily closing said valve as the filter element moves toward said liquid.

5. A ltering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more filter walls, a pivotally supported lever provided with means for supporting said filter element, a liquid outlet conduit connected with the bottom of the filter element so as to normally create a gravitational fiow of filter liquid from the filter element while it is submerged, means for rocking said lever so as to raise and lower the filter element into and out of said tank, a suction pipe connected with the interior of said filter element at all times, a control valve for said pipe-biased to open position, so as to normally maintain a suction pressure Within said chamber While it is submerged, and means carried by said lever for temporarily closing said valve as the filter element begins its travel toward the liquid.

6. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more filter walls,

means for moving the filter element into and out of the tank along an approximately rectilinear path, a liquid outlet conduit connected at all times with the bottom of 'said filter element so as to normally create a gravitational flow of filter liquid from the filter element while submerged, means for maintaining a moderate reduction of pressure Within the filter element during sub- `mergence thereof, pressure means, and means connected with vthe filter-element-moving means for temporarily connecting said pressure means with said filter element as the latter moves toward the liquid, so as to project an air blast of short duration into said chamber to loosen the filter cake clinging to the filter Walls.

7. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank 'for the material to be filtered, a chambered lter element provided with one or more filter walls, means for moving the filter element into and out of the tank along an approximately rectilinear path, a liquid outlet conduit connected with the bottom of said filter element so as to normally create a gravitational flow of filter liquid from the, filter element While submerged, means for maintaining a moderate reduction of pressure within the filter element during submergence thereof, a fluid pressure pipe having means for communicating with the interior of said filter element, a control valve for said pressure pipe, and means connected with the filter-elementmoving means for actuating said valve during downward movement of the filter element so as to project an air blast of short duration into the filter chamber so as toloosen the filter cake adhering to the filter Walls.

8. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more filter walls, a pivotally` mounted lever, means for suspending the filter element from said lever, means for actuating said lever so as to move the filter element into and out of the tank, a liquid outlet connected with the bottom of the filter element at all times so as to create a gravitational flow of filtered liquid from the filter element while submerged, means for maintaining a moderate reduction of pressure Within the filter element-I during submergence thereof, a fluid pressure pipe connected with said filter element, a valve controlling the same, and means carried by said lever for periodically operating said valve during downward movement of the filter element so as to project an air blast of short duration into the chamber to loosen the filter cake adhering to the filter surfaces.

9. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more filter walls,

means for moving the filter element into and out 1 of the tank along on approximately rectilinear path, an outlet conduit connected with the bottom of the iilter unit at all times and so as to create a gravitational flow of filtered liquid from the filter element while the saine is submerged, a suction pipe at all times connected with the interior of said lter element, aA iluid pressure pipe, a single valve controlling both of said pipes biased to normally maintain a suction pressure within the filter chamber while submerged, and means movable with said lter element for actuating said valve, the latter being provided with means to open and close said iluid pressure pipe and said suction pipe in predetermined sequence and at predetermined intervals.

10. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more filter walls, means for moving the lter element into and out oi the tank along an approximately rectilinear path, an outlet conduit connected with the bottom of the illter unit at all times and so as to create a gravitational ilow of filtered liquid from the iilter element while the same is submerged, a suction pipe having a delivery branch extended into and communicating with the interior of said illter element. the latter being movable relatively to said delivery branch, a fluid pressure pipe, a single valve controlling both of said pipes, means for biasing said valve to open connection between the suction pipe and the lter, means movable with the lter element and operable during the .downward movements thereof for actuating said valve, said valve being provided with means to open and close said fluid pressure pipe and said suction pipe in predetermined sequence during said downward movements.

11. A iiltering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be iiltered, a chambered filter element provided with one or more illter walls, means for moving the filter element into and out o1' the tank along an approximately rectilinear path, an outlet conduit connected with the bottom of the illter unit at all times and so as to create a gravitational ilow of ltered liquid from the lter element while the same is submerged, a suction pipe at all times connected with the interior of said illter element, a fluid pressure pipe, a single valve controlling both of said pipes, means operated in timed relation with the movements o1' saidlter element for actuating said valve, the latter being provided with means to open and close said uid pressure pipe and said suction pipe in predetermined sequence and at predetermined intervals during its operation, means for biasing said valve to open connection between the suction pipe and the filter, so as to maintain a suction within the iilter chamber while submerged, an operating arm for said valve, and a trip pawl mounted on said lever and normally biased to a position to engage said arm during downward movement of the illter element, so as to temporarily close the suction pipe and to temporarily open the pressure pipe.

12. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be illtered, a plurality of lter units each consisting of one or more chambered filter elements, each iilter element having one or more filter walls, means for moving the filter units into and out or the tank in alternate sequence and in such manner that as one unit moves into the tank another unit is moved out o! the tank, a liquid outlet conduit connected with the interior ofeach of the filter elements at the bottom thereof so as to provide a gravitational outiiow of liquid from the iilter element while it is submerged, a suction pipe connected with the interior of all o1' the filter units, a valve controlling said ,suction pipe and normally biased to open position whereby a moderate reduction of pressure is maintained in all of the filter elements while submerged, and means for controlling the operation oi said valve.

13. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, two filter units each consisting of one or more chambered filter elements, each illter element having one or more filter walls, means for moving the fllter luiits into and out of the tank in alternate sequence and in such manner that as each moves into the tank the other is moved out of the tank, a liquid outlet conduit connected with the interior of each filter element at the bottom thereof so as to provide a gravitational outflow voi.' liquid from the iilter element while it is submerged, a suction pipe, branch pipes connecting the suction pipe with the illter element, a valve controlling communication between the suction pipe and said branch pipes, said valve being biased to normally open position, valve actuating means connected to and movable with the lter units for intermittently moving said valve in one direction to temporarily close the suction pipe, and means also controlled by said valve for independently neutralizing the pressure reduction in each nlter unit as it moves into the tank.

14. A ltering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, two filter units each pipes one set for each lter unit, connecting the l suction pipe with the respective illter elements of a unit, a pressure pipe, two sets of branch pipes one set for each unit, ,connecting the pressure pipe with the respective filter elements of the same unit, a control valve for each nlter unit located between the suction and the pressure pipes, and the respective branch pipes of the unit, each valve being biased to normally maintain communication between the suction pipe and the respective iilter elements of its unit, valve operating means for the respective valves, and means for actuating each valve operating means during inward movement of its associated filter unit so as to operate the valve in one direction during such inward movement, each valve having means to iirst temporarily close the suction pipe and also to open the pressure pipe during said inward movement of the filter unit.

15. A iiltering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, two lter units each consisting of one or more chambered tllter elements, each element being provided with one or more lter walls, means for moving the filter units into and out or the tank in alternate sequence and in such manner that as each unit moves into. the tank the other is moved out of the same, a liquid conduit connected with the interior of each of the filter elements at the bottom thereof, so as to provide a gravitational outiiow of liquid from the iilter elements while the unit is submerged, a suction pipe, two sets of branch pipes, one set for each lter unit, connecting the suction pipe with the respective lter elements of a unit, a pressure pipe, two sets of branch pipes, one set for each unit, connecting the pressure pipe with the respective filter elements of the same unit, a control valve for each fllter unit located between the suction and the pressure pipes and the respective branch pipes for the unit, each valve being biased to normally maintain communication between the suction pipe and the respective lter elements of the unit, and valve actuating means for each of said valves and carried by the filter moving means so as to be operable during inward movements of the associated filter unit, each valve having means for opening and closing the suction and the pressure pipes in predetermined sequence during said inward movements of the respective lter units.

16. A ltering apparatus comprising a tank for material to be filtered, a lever pivotally supported in a position above said tank, a pair of lter units each consisting of a lter element provided with a chamber having one or more filter Walls, means connecting the ends of the lever with the respective iilter units, a nitrate outlet conduit leading from the bottom of said chamber, outlet pipes respectively telescoping with said conduits, each outlet conduit and the pipe telescoping therewith providing means for effecting a continuous gravitational flow outlet for the lter chamber while the latter is submerged within the material to be filtered, means for rocking said shaft in such manner that; the filter units are alternately moved into and out of said tank, a suction pipe, a compressed air pipe, two sets of branch pipes one set for the chambers of each filter unit, and extending into said chambers thereof, two valves each connected with the suction pipe and the compressed air pipe, there being one valve for each filter unit, 'each valve being connected with said branch pipes of its unit, said valves each having means for selectively establishing communication between the suction pipe or the air pressure pipe and said branch pipes of its unit in a predetermined sequence, and means carried by and movable with said lever for actuating said valve in such manner as to selectively establish said time sequenced communications.

17. A iiltering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a lter consisting of a chamber provided with one or more lter walls. a liquid outlet conduit leading from said chamber, means for moving the filter into and out of said tank in such manner that while the filter is within the tank it will be submerged within said material, pivotally mounted scraper members, one for each iilter Wall each having a portion positioned to engage said wall, relatively spaced cam members carried by the filter, actuating means for the scraper members positioned in the paths of movement of said cam members and so located as to be operated to alternately move the scrapers into and out of engagement with the adjacent filter walls during movements of the filter.

18. A filtering apparatus comprising a tank for the material to be filtered, a plurality of filter elements each consisting of a chamber provided with oppositely disposed filtering walls, a liquid outlet conduit leading from each chamber, means for moving the lter elements into and out of the tank as a unit and in such manner that while the iilter is within the tank it will be submerged within said material, two sets of pivotally mounted scraper members each having a portion engageable with a filter surface, there being separate sets of scrapers for the oppositely located lter surfaces, means for moving the scraper elements into and out of engagement with the adjacent iilter surfaces, means carried by the filter elements for periodically actuating said scraperelement-moving means to bring the scrapers into and out of engagement, respectively, with the said adjacent lter surfaces, belts located below the Scrapers, and means for imparting intermittent movements to the belts.

HENRY H. MORETON. 

